M90 and M9
Managed Motorway – Intelligent Transport System
Introduction 2012/13
M90 and M9 Managed Motorway – Intelligent Transport System
M90 to Perth
Location plan
A92 to Kirkcaldy
Halbeath
Junction
M90 J3
Legend
Opening P&R
2013
Crossgates
Junction
Scope
Extent of managed motorway
Halbeath M90 J2A
Interchange
Phase 1
Dunfermline
Phase 2
Phase 3
A823
New/improved roads
Existing roads
P&R
Park and ride
(M)
Masterton
Junction M90 J2
M90
Rosyth
Proposed public transport links
Bus lane (southbound only)
Phase 1
from winter 2012
M90
Opening dates for each phase will be
provided in the local press and at:
www.forthreplacementcrossing.info
A985
A921
Admiralty
Junction
Inverkeithing
Rosyth
Dockyard
& Ferry Terminal
M90 J1
M90 J1C
P&R
Airport
Ferrytoll
Junction M90 J1B
A90
Firth
of Forth
Motorway Junction number
North
Queensferry
Forth Replacement
Crossing
(opening 2016)
Existing
Projected Changes due
by 2016
Phase 3
from 2016
Forth
Road
Bridge
Firth
of Forth
Forth
Bridge
B800
Queensferry
Junction
(proposed)
M90
(formerly
M9 Spur)
M90 J1A
Phase 2
from early 2013
M9
This leaflet provides an explanation of the Intelligent Transport System which will open in phases with
phase 1 in winter 2012 and phase 2 in early 2013. While drivers may find the information in this
leaflet of value, no specialist skills are required to use roads featuring Intelligent Transport Systems.
Phases 1 and 2 of the Intelligent Transport System will help to manage the flow of traffic on the
M90 on the approach to roadworks associated with construction of the new bridge (until 2016) and
through M9 Junction 1A (during and after its construction period).
The final phase (phase 3) will become operational on completion of the new crossing. The Intelligent
Transport System will then extend along a 22km corridor from the M90 Halbeath Junction over the
new bridge to the M9 north of Newbridge Junction. Overhead gantries spaced regularly along the
corridor will provide lane control, variable mandatory speed control and bus lane control. Variable
message signs on the gantries will provide drivers with a wide range of traffic information.
Benefits
A90 to Edinburgh
M9 to Stirling
The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) project will create a managed
motorway by using an Intelligent Transport System to help regulate the flow
of traffic approaching and crossing the Forth.
The FRC Intelligent Transport System will be monitored and controlled through the Traffic Scotland
Control Centre.
South
Queensferry
A904
Intelligent Transport System
Scotstoun
Junction M90 J1
• There is clear evidence from similar schemes in the UK and across the world that Intelligent
Transport Systems increase road operational efficiency, capacity and safety.
• During incidents or periods of congestion when demand exceeds capacity the system will
set signals and message signs to inform and advise drivers to effectively manage incidents and
reduce queues.
Humbie Railway Bridge
Kirkliston
• Variable mandatory speed control will help maintain a steady flow of traffic and limit congestion
Edinburgh
Airport
M9 J1A M9 Junction 1A
to make journey times more reliable.
A8
Newbridge
Junction
Newbridge
N
M9 J1
• Evidence indicates that systems which reduce vehicle queues can reduce accidents resulting in
injury by up to 13%.
to M8
2
3
M90 and M9 Managed Motorway – Intelligent Transport System
What you will see
Blank signal
Normal motorway rules and speed limits apply.
Entering the managed motorway
On entering the managed motorway you will see the following fixed plate sign:
50
Speed limit signal
The speed limit displayed is mandatory, is the maximum permitted and will
vary to suit traffic conditions.
Lane-specific motorway signals
The Intelligent Transport System allows variable mandatory speed limits to be applied so that vehicle
speeds can be managed during congested periods and in response to incidents such as vehicle breakdowns.
The system can automatically detect incidents and provide information regarding the road network.
Red cross
If above a bus lane/hard shoulder, you may still use this lane in an emergency.
NOTE: Other standard motorway signals may also be displayed.
Variable message signs
Variable message signs are mounted on
the gantries and can display information
to advise drivers of traffic conditions.
Leaving the managed motorway
The lane-specific motorway signals on the gantries will normally be blank. As traffic congestion builds
up, or if there is an incident, the Intelligent Transport System will reduce the normal speed limit.
The speed limits displayed will be mandatory and will have a red ring surrounding the speed display.
Cameras will be used to enforce the displayed speed limit.
On leaving the managed motorway you will see a fixed
plate sign advising a return to the national speed limit or
to a displayed speed limit.
or
Once the level of congestion eases, or the relevant incident ends, the system will restore the speed
limit to its normal level.
For phases 1 and 2 the variable speed limits will only be operational on the southbound carriageways
of the M90 and M9.
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5
M90 and M9 Managed Motorway – Intelligent Transport System
How will the bus lane/hard shoulder operate?
Lane-specific motorway signals and variable message signs
General
To help promote and encourage use of public transport within the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) project,
bus lanes are provided on the southbound M90 in Fife and on the southbound M9 in the vicinity of Junction 1A
(the bus lanes are indicated on the location plan – see page 2). These will operate on a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week
basis and will be the first such schemes to be implemented on the motorway network in Scotland.
Fixed plate signs will be used to advise road users of the presence of a bus
lane. The use of bus lanes is legally restricted to buses and coaches constructed
to carry 24 seated passengers or more. Any buses that do not meet this
requirement, or any other vehicles, are prohibited from using these bus lanes.
24 +
Max bus
lane speed
40
Intermittent green road surfacing and ‘Bus Lane’ road markings, at the start and end of the bus lane and
repeated along its length, will also be used to reinforce its presence.
In normal operation the bus lane is open and will be
indicated by a blank signal.
In emergency situations, the motorway signal over the
bus lane will be used to advise bus drivers that the
bus lane is closed – a red ‘X’ signal will be displayed
over the bus lane and the variable message sign will
reinforce this.
In case of breakdown or emergency
The bus lane is always accessible as a hard shoulder to any vehicle involved in
a breakdown or emergency. When this happens buses will be diverted to the
normal traffic lanes.
In an emergency, one of the emergency refuge areas next to the bus lane/
hard shoulder should be used. These emergency refuge areas have emergency
roadside telephones with a direct connection to the Traffic Scotland Control
Centre whose trained operators will advise and support you. The telephones
are positioned behind roadside barriers and at a height suitable for road users
with disabilities.
In emergency
use bus lane
Emergency
refuge
area
SOS
If you can’t reach an emergency refuge area in your vehicle, the hard shoulder
is always available. Should you require a telephone, follow the directions on
the roadside marker posts.
Motorway users should take care at slip roads as buses may carry straight on and re-enter the bus lane
through the green marked section. Motorway users must not follow buses through this restricted section.
Motorway drivers should be aware that buses are likely to use normal traffic lanes during non-congested
periods as they can travel at higher speeds than the advisory 40mph maximum limit applicable to the bus lanes.
6
If you use your mobile, dial 112 or 999 to contact the emergency services.
Always follow the Highway Code directions for breakdowns and incidents,
including additional rules for the motorway (sections 274 to 287). An online
version of the Highway Code is available at www.direct.gov.uk
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M90 and M9 Managed Motorway – Intelligent Transport System
Summary
• An Intelligent Transport System will be introduced as part of the Forth
Replacement Crossing (FRC) project in phases from winter 2012 – the third
(final) phase will go live on completion of the crossing in 2016.
• Drivers require no specialist skills to use roads featuring Intelligent
Transport Systems.
• The FRC system includes overhead gantries, spaced regularly along the
route, which include motorway signals and variable message signs to
control traffic and inform road users.
• Mandatory variable speed limits will be applied when necessary – e.g.
during incidents or when significant congestion occurs. The speed limits
will be enforced.
• The use of the hard shoulder by buses (24/7) is a feature of the FRC
Intelligent Transport System.
• Road users can always use the hard shoulder in an emergency and buses
will be diverted to the normal traffic lanes.
• Intelligent Transport Systems increase the efficiency and capacity of roads
by improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, in turn helping journey
time reliability and reducing emissions.
• Studies show similar schemes have improved road safety and this system
will also improve safety for FRC construction workers.
Further information – traffic and roads
Up-to-date information for road users on Scotland’s motorway and trunk road
network is available on Traffic Scotland www.trafficscotland.org or on the
move via its mobile website m.trafficscotland.org The website also provides
details of other information services including Traffic Scotland Internet Radio,
Twitter account and smartphone apps.
Further information – FRC project
Information on the FRC project is available at www.ForthReplacementCrossing.info
Alternatively, call the dedicated 24-hour project hotline 0800 078 6910 or e-mail
enquiries@forthreplacementcrossing.info
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REF: TS/FRC/ITSv1.1